Why Michigan football is better off if Ohio State beats MSU

Shawn Windsor Detroit Free Press Published 3:42 PM EST Nov 9, 2018 Michigan is on a path to the College Football Playoff. Michigan State, meanwhile, could be on a path to the Rose Bowl. For the Spartans to get there, they’ll need their arch-enemy to knock off Ohio State — assuming MSU can beat the Buckeyes Saturday in East Lansing. This means Spartan fans will have to hold their noses and root for the Wolverines. Worse, they’ll have to spend an off-season listening to U-M fans chirp about a run to the College Football Playoff. And if the Wolverines actually win it? Is a Rose Bowl really worth that? Meanwhile, Wolverines’ fans would do well to root for MSU on Saturday against Ohio State. A Spartan win over the Buckeyes would almost certainly give U-M the Big Ten East title, unless the Wolverines lose to Rutgers or Indiana, which is not happening. Also: U-M gets to watch the Buckeyes lose. Again. And if the Wolverines beat Ohio State, too? Then the program in Columbus would finish the regular season with three losses and a lot of questions. Surely, that would be fun. On the other hand, defeating a wobbly Ohio State team wouldn’t provide the same psychological punch. U-M has been waiting for this moment for what feels like a generation. And it would be more satisfying to take down a Buckeyes team that is still playing for the Big Ten East division. There is also the matter of quality wins. Even if the Wolverines win out — including the Big… [Read full story]